Tom Hanks, Rachel Bloom and more pay tribute to the late Adam Schlesinger

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger has died from complications caused by COVID-19. He was 52. The tragic death of the immensely talented and prolific artist was confirmed by Schlesinger’s lawyer Josh Grier on April 1. On Monday, Billboard announced that Schlesinger was in the hospital and had been placed on a ventilator but added that his condition appeared to be improving. Sadly, that was not the case. Schlesinger leaves behind two children and an incredible musical legacy.Schlesinger was best known as a member of the indie pop group Fountains of Wayne. The band’s breakout track came with their cheeky pop track “Stacy’s Mom,” which was one of the biggest songs of 2003. The band earned a Grammy nomination that year for Best New Artist and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for the Mrs. Robinson-inspired track. Schlesinger was also a founding member of the bands Ivy and Tinted Windows.Just one day before his death, Schlesinger’s cousin, actor Jon Bernthal, tweeted about his ‘talented’ and ‘cool’ older cousin.

This is my big cousin Adam. As a little boy I would be mesmerized by his talent. He showed me how cool it was to be an artist. We love you Cuz. Stay strong. Bless you and all of the hero’s at the hospital on the front line. Please keep Adam in your heart. https://t.co/V8fa8HzgyN

— Jon Bernthal (@jonnybernthal) March 31, 2020

Rachel Bloom also shared a message about her close friend only hours before Schlesinger’s death. The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend star welcomed her first child this week “during a pandemic while a dear friend was in the hospital 3,000 miles away.” Along with Jack Dolgen, Bloom and Schlesinger wrote more than 100 songs for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The trio received an Emmy nomination in 2016 for the song “Settle For Me” and Schlesinger and Bloom were nominated for the show’s main theme song. The group were nominated again in 2017 for “We Tapped That Ass” and won in 2019 for "Antidepressants Are So Not a Big Deal.”

I have so much to say about Adam Schlesinger that I am at a complete loss for words. He is irreplaceable.

— Rachel Bloom (@Racheldoesstuff) April 2, 2020

In addition to his work on My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Schlesinger was also an active contributor to the world of film. Schlesinger wrote for Shallow Hall, There’s Something About Mary, Josie & The Pussycats, Fever Pitch, Two Weeks Notice and Music & Lyrics.In 1997, the New York native received an Oscar and a Golden Globe nomination for penning the iconic title track to the Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do. It was peppy, it was happy, it was up-tempo, it was snappy, and it’s still one of the most joyful songs to ever be written for film. Hanks and Ethan Embry, who starred as the bass player for the fictional band The Wonders, remembered Schlesinger on Twitter.

There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger, without his That Thing You Do! He was a One-der. Lost him to Covid-19. Terribly sad today. Hanx

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) April 2, 2020

I remember the day all the Oneders, @LivTyler and @tomhanks sat in a room and played about 6 submitted tracks from different bands for That Thing You Do. When we heard Adam Schlesinger’s cassette it was instantly clear which track we would need to learn.

— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) April 2, 2020

Schlesinger also left his mark on late night. The multi-talented musician wrote for Stephen Colbert’s A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, Jimmy Kimmel’s The Man Show, The Dana Carvey Show and Too Late With Adam Carolla.

I’m so saddened to hear of the death of Adam Schlesinger due to Covid19. From the Dana Carvey show to A Colbert Christmas Special, he was a great (and patient) and talented artist with whom it was my good luck to work. Peace.

— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) April 2, 2020

I am very sorry to hear the terrible news about Adam Schlesinger. I had the pleasure of working with Adam when he wrote the theme to Crank Yankers. He was a kind and super-talented man who will be missed. Sending love to his family, friends and fans.

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 1, 2020

Schlesinger wrote multiple songs for the Tony Awards and the Emmy Awards, as well as theme songs for The Maya Rudolph Show, Bubble Guppies, The Howard Stern Show, Sesame Street and more. Schlesinger’s work in the theatre was also extensive. He co-wrote the music for the 2007 theatre adaptation of the John Waters’ film Cry-Baby. Schlesinger also contributed music to the Broadway play An Act of God and collaborated with Sarah Silverman for her upcoming musical The Bedwetter. At the time of his death, Schlesinger was working on music for the upcoming theatre adaptation of the 90’s TV show The Nanny.

We will miss you... Adam Schlesinger died of Covid 19 at age 52 today. He was writing the Music for The Nanny Musical. Devasted??? My prayers are for you. May peace be with you... https://t.co/bQ4aMznKk4

— Fran Drescher (@frandrescher) April 1, 2020

Schlesinger is being remembered by his fans and friends, including Chris Carrabba’s Dashboard Confessional. Schlesinger worked as a producer with the emo pop band and is also being remembered by tour mates and collaborators like Rick Springfield, Ron Sexsmith, and Canadian band Stars.

and most famously That Thing You Do. I knew him best as a mentor, and a friend. We must take this seriously. People are sick and dying. It is hard to stay locked indoors but lives will be saved. Take care of each other. Rest In Peace, my dear friend. -Chris

— Dashboard Confessional (@dashboardmusic) April 1, 2020

the band ivy, one of adam schlesinger's many beautiful projects, provided pivotal inspiration to us at the moment we were becoming a band. adam schlesinger loved pop music and he was beautifully good at it. please listen to his work. and please let's beat this virus.

— Stars (@youarestars) April 1, 2020

Terribly sad to hear news of Adam Schlesinger's passingI loved Fountains OF Wayne. Sang on one of their albums and opened up for them once in LA. As a fan of smart, melodic music Adam and Chris we're always so great.Taken much too soon RS

— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) April 1, 2020

adam schlesinger took pop music writing to its classiest and most untouchable place. an honor to live at the same time he made his work.

— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) April 1, 2020

For those of you who know my life as a songwriter- Adam Schlesinger’s career was always a big source of inspiration for me. He had a lyrical cheekiness that was only matched by his expert understanding of form, and was always able to fuse the two in a really fun, accessible way..

— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) April 1, 2020

Adam Schlesinger was one talented man and the world will be a less tuneful place without him. I wrote a few songs with him when I was living in New York and he had a brilliant gift for melody. ♥️Love and healing to his family #AdamSchlesinger pic.twitter.com/EPBaIj6J4r

— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) April 1, 2020

Fuck. The world is suddenly a much shittier place without Adam Schlesinger in it. RIP pal. October 31, 1967-April 1, 2020

“What else is new?What can I do?But sing this valley winter songI wrote for you” - Fountains of Wayne 2003— Counting Crows (@CountingCrows) April 2, 2020

So sad to lose Adam Schlesinger. I knew him for over 20 years. Worked on some songs together, toured the US supporting Fountains, and always found him to be an explemplary craftsman, artist and mensch. Love you buddy.

— Ben Lee (@benleemusic) April 1, 2020

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